Does Max Verstappen have the world title in his pocket?

Facts : On the occasion of the Mexico Grand Prix (Mexico), Max Verstappen extended his championship lead to Lewis Hamilton at 19 points. With only four games remaining to conclude a fight initiated at the opening of the season in Bahrain, the Dutchman has never seemed so in control of his destiny. But the most victorious man in F1 could have resources and did not admit defeat. SO, Does Max Verstappen have the world title in his pocket?

Yes, by Medhi Casaurang-Vergez

The numbers don't lie. Well, my colleague below will no doubt retort that we can make numbers say whatever we want. However, in the face-to-face between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen in 2021, the advantage clearly goes to the spearhead Red Bull. Nine victories to five and as many pole positions, while the seven-time world champion is content with three poles.

Proof of the fierceness of the duel, Lewis Hamilton recorded, before the Grand Prix of Sao Paulo (Brazil), his lowest rate of wins-poles-podiums since the V6 turbo hybrid revolution in 2014. Conversely, never Max Verstappen has been so prolific since being promoted alongside Christian Horner and Adrian Newey in the spring of 2016.

The youngest winner of an F1 GP is supported by his entire team. © DPPI

There is also the History of F1 which argues in favor of the flying Dutchman. In the hybrid era, the championship leader with four meetings remaining has never been beaten. Even during contested seasons like 2016 or 2014, Lewis Hamilton led the debates ahead of Nico Rosberg. In 2012, Sebastian Vettel had just regained a handful of margin units on a Fernando Alonso combative but ultimately defeated. You have to go back 11 years, during the fantastic 2010 season, to see the crowned driver take the lead in the last Grands Prix (Sebastian Vettel in the Abu Dhabi final).

But my strong argument concerns the behavior of Jos Verstappen's son. Willingly reckless (often too much), he has gained in maturity and wisdom and seems to have found a perfect balance between aggressiveness (his double overtake during the first braking in Mexico is a textbook case) and racing intelligence. Who would have thought that the one who still seemed feverish a few months ago (Silverstone, Monza) would manage his tires better than the reference Hamilton in Austin?

#MexicoGP 🇲🇽 – C'est le départ

Title race continues between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen

▶ https://t.co/7plkVVV12v pic.twitter.com/DzWTYWxuD7

— CANAL+ F1® (@CanalplusF1) November 7, 2021

In Mexico, the failed qualifying session could have knocked him off his hinges, but it only redoubled his desire to win. His equipment no longer has anything to envy of the Black Arrows and the team is committed to his cause. The dynamics work in his favor.

No, by Gonzalo Forbes

Promised for the world crown since a young age, Max Verstappen has never been so close to the goal. With four races remaining, the Dutchman seems untouchable and his lead over Lewis Hamilton increases Grand Prix after Grand Prix. Since the summer break when he was 8 points behind the Englishman, the Red Bull driver has impressed with four successes (Belgium, Netherlands, United States and Mexico) compared to just one for his rival (Russia). A champion's pace, however, is insufficient to affirm that the Batavian already has the title in his pocket.

First of all, it's a matter of calculations. With four rounds to go and 107 points still at stake (25 per Grand Prix, plus 3 for the winner of the sprint race in Brazil and four fast laps), Max Verstappen cannot relax even if it never registered in his philosophy. Then, he is “only” 19 points ahead of Lewis Hamilton, the equivalent of second place and a best lap in the race. Suffice to say that the Briton has every reason in the world to still believe in his 8th coronation.

Among these reasons, mechanics. If he has a brand new 4th power unit for four Grands Prix (Russia, September 26), Max Verstappen is not safe from a problem.pine mechanics on his RB16B. All it takes is one breakdown to lose big. An episode experienced by his rival in Malaysia in 2016. While leading the GP, the Englishman saw his engine catch fire and Nico Rosberg inflict a 15-0 on him before losing the title later.

There is also the Brazil Sprint Race which could play a major role in this crossover. Able to glean up to three additional points, they are ready for anything as they were able to show at Silverstone and Monza. A situation which could lead the Dutchman to take risks and therefore increase his chances of error.

All these elements combined make me believe and say that Max Verstappen does not have the title in his pocket. He is even far from having it because everything is still mathematically possible and he is aware of it. “The season is still long,” he emphasized after Mexico. It looks like it's going well but it's still too early. » Never put the cart before the horse.